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Charging the battery
Note Do not connect the charger to the socket
Do not connect the battery charger to the
socket installed in the vehicle at the factory as this could damage the battery. ◀
Only charge the battery in the vehicle when the
engine is switched off. Connections, refer to
page 244.
General information
Ensure that the battery is sufficiently charged to
achieve the full battery life.
It may be necessary to charge the battery in
the following cases:▷When the vehicle is frequently used to
travel short distances.▷When the vehicle has not been driven for
more than one month.
Power failure
After a temporary power failure, some equip‐
ment will be restricted in its use and will need
to be reinitialized. In addition, certain individual
settings will be lost and must be updated:
▷Time and date: the values must be up‐
dated, refer to page 68.▷Radio: the stations need to be stored again,
refer to page 149.▷Onboard monitor: full functionality will be
restored after some time.▷Glass sunroof, electrical: it may only be pos‐
sible to tilt the roof. The system needs to be
initialized. Contact the service center.
Indicator/warning lamps
Lights up red: the vehicle battery is no
longer being charged. Alternator mal‐
function.
Switch off all unnecessary electrical consumers.
Have the battery checked immediately.
Lights up yellow: the battery charge
level is very low, the battery is old, or it
is not securely connected.
Charge the battery by taking a long drive or us‐
ing an external charger. If the indicators appear
again, have the battery checked as soon as
possible.
Disposing of old batteries Have used batteries disposed of by the
service center after they are replaced or
take them to a recycling center.
Maintain the battery in an upright position for
transport and storage. Secure the battery so
that it does not tip over during transport.
Fuses Replacing fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a substi‐ tute of another color or amperage rating; this
could lead to a circuit overload, ultimately re‐
sulting in a fire in the vehicle. ◀
Fuses should be replaced by the service center.
Information on the fuses can be found on the
inside of the covers.
In the engine compartmentSeite 241Replacing componentsMobility241
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Opening the cover
Press the snap lock.
In interior
On the right side of the footwell.
Opening the cover
Push out at the recess.
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Breakdown assistanceVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Hazard warning flash‐
ers
The button is located on the speedometer.
Warning triangle MINI
On the inside of the tailgate.
To remove, press the tab.
MINI Clubman
Under the loading edge in the cargo area.
To remove, open the center fastener.
First aid kit
Some of the articles contained in the first aid kit
have a limited service life. Therefore, check the
use-by dates of the contents regularly and re‐
place the items before they expire.
MINI
The first aid kit is located in the left side trim on
the cargo area floor.
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MINI Clubman
The first aid kit is located in the left side trim on
the cargo area floor or under the flat loading
floor.
Roadside Assistance
Service availability Roadside Assistance can be reached around the
clock in many countries. You can obtain assis‐
tance there in the event of a vehicle break‐
down.
Jump-starting Notes
If the battery is discharged, the engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle and
two jumper cables. In the same way, you can
help jump-start another vehicle. Only use
jumper cables with fully insulated clamp han‐
dles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical compo‐
nents while the engine is running. ◀
Preparation1.Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts and approxi‐
mately the same capacitance in Ah. This in‐
formation can be found on the battery.2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.3.Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Bodywork contact between vehicles
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise there
is a danger of shorting. ◀
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Connecting jumper cablesConnecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order; otherwise, there is the danger of injury
from sparking. ◀1.Open the battery cover in the engine com‐
partment to access the positive terminal.2.Unlock the tabs of the positive terminal
cover on the left and right, arrows 1, and
raise the cover, arrow 2.3.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or to a starting aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance.4.Attach the second clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery of the vehicle to be started.5.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of
the battery, or to the corresponding engine
or body ground of the vehicle providing as‐
sistance.6.Attach the second clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal ofthe battery, or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Body ground:
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly in‐
creased idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Notes Observe applicable laws and regulations
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing. ◀
No additional passengers
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. ◀
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Using a tow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front
or rear of the MINI.
It is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit under
the cover on right in the cargo area, refer to
page 230.
Tow fitting, information on use▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.▷Use the tow fitting for towing on paved
roads only.▷Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle can occur. ◀
Access to the screw thread Push out the tow fitting cover at the appropri‐
ate recess in the bumper.
Front
MINI: rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the tow fitting cover in the bumper in
the lower section, arrow.
MINI Clubman: rear
Being towed
Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions, or vehicle
damage or accidents may occur. ◀
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and
steering.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.Seite 246MobilityBreakdown assistance246
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Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission Towing vehicles with an automatic trans‐
mission
Only transport vehicles with an automatic
transmission on tow trucks or with raised front
wheels; otherwise, the transmission may be
damaged. ◀
Towing with a tow bar Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than your vehicle, or it will not be possible to
control vehicle response. ◀
Correctly attach the tow bar
Only secure the tow bar on the tow fit‐
tings; damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle. ◀
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:▷Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is attached offset.
Towing with a tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure
that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured on other parts of the vehicle. ◀
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result. ◀
Tow-starting
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 244. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 54.3.Shift into 3rd gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch is depressed and then slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately depress the clutch completely again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 247Breakdown assistanceMobility247
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CareVehicle equipmentThis chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Car washes Notes Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of
140 ℉/60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead
to long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer. ◀
Do not direct steam or high-pressure washers
toward the labels applied by the manufacturer;
otherwise, damage may result.
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-pres‐
sure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the seals of the retractable hardtop and
the exterior sensors and cameras, for Park Dis‐ tance Control, for instance, for extended peri‐ods of time and only from a distance of at least
12 in/30 cm. ◀During the winter months
Ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently in winter. Intense soiling and road
salt can damage the vehicle. ◀
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action
can be reduced and corrosion of the brake
discs can occur.
Regularly remove foreign bodies, such as
leaves, from the area of the windshield when
the hood is open.
Washing in automatic car washes Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Do not use automatic high-pressure washers;
otherwise, water may drip into the interior in
the area of the windows.
Before driving into the car wash, check whether
the system is suitable for your MINI. Note the
following points:▷Vehicle dimensions, refer to page 254.▷If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors, re‐
fer to page 48.▷Maximum permissible tire width.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle chassis
could be damaged. ◀
Preparations before driving into the car wash:
▷Unscrew the road antenna.▷Deactivate the rain sensor to avoid unin‐
tentional wiper activation.▷Deactivate the rear window wiper and pro‐
tect it from damage. Ask the car wash oper‐
ator about any necessary protective meas‐
ures.Seite 248MobilityCare248
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